May I please have some advice?

Hello friends

As you know my Snuffie is 10 and is havung trouble with his little leggies. He is on metacam but I wanted to order some glocosamine for him. I have looked on the web and there is a liquid one which is strawberry flavour Healthspan's page); I just wondered if anyone else had used it and does it work? I am quite eager to get him onto something else because he is having a struggle sometimes. He is so well in every other way, I am determined to see him more comfortable if there is any way to do it.

Many thanks for your kind help.

Love

Jo xx

i have no experience with glucosamine in rabbits, although I do know it has great benefits with dogs so I can see the logic in using it with buns.

I would phone up your vet and ask them the one they would recommend, as the other ingredients or the way it is given could upset his tum, you dont have to buy it from them as i expect its cheaper online, but i would ask their advice. x

Jo, I use Arthriaid which is a glucosamine for dogs and cats. I ordered it from vetuk. You give the same dose as for cats.

HI,

Pumpkin really hated having arthaid think it was the taste... didnt know there was a strawberry flavoured one.. Can you leave the link for it please.

Here is a thread about glucosmine from here Hope it helps.

https://happyhoppers.forumotion.co.uk/t17419-glucosamine-for-arthritis-in-buns

Dawn x

Hi Dawn

Might I suggest that you also gently exercise those back limbs. He may not be able to keep them flexible because of his age and increasing stiffness, but it important to maintain as much flexibility even if he cannot bear weight.

We had a paraplegic bun and the gentle stretches prevented the painful locked joints and spasms. His back end was still in the 'flop' position but he has able to get around. He has been our absolute best climber!!! His front legs compensated. He never had bladder control but his increased mobility prevented skin break down.

I've not seen research on this. I would love to do research on this actually. In humans, maintaining that flexibility helps control pain. Never force a joint, but gentle massage and working the back legs will make Pumpkin feel better. You might give it a try. It can't hurt. Just never force it. Good luck!

Thank you all for your kind replies; I am definately going to buy some and thank you Cheryl love for your help with regards to doseage.

I do rub his little back legs Dawn love and thank you for the suggestion, it is normally at night time before we both go to sleep.

When we took Snuffie to the vet last time, I mentioned arthriaid and the vet said it was fine, so, I am going to buy some.

Thank you all so very much for your kind help and i will let you know how we get on.

Love and hugs


Jo xx

Hi.

Pumpkin is still quite mobile and limpy hops around the garden and house and is still able to mount to have relations....

Masaging his hip is not something I have considered as Im even worried when I pick him up in case Im hurting him... didnt think it might help... but its worth a go.

thanks x

Thank you Dawnbunny love for your kind reply. I have ordered some Glucosamine for him and if I am not happy with the results of that, I will buy the more expensive arthriaid. I just give his little leggies a massage at bed time when he is cuddled up to me but I am very gentle and don't do it for too long; I think it is helping a little. He sometimes has difficulty washing his little face so every night I wipe it for him with a pet wipe and I think he loves it.

I will keep you posted and thank you all for your kind support.

Love and hugs

Jo xxxx

Awwww. Jo, you take such good care of your boy Snuffie. Washing his cute little face for him too. He surely knows he is loved and cherished. I hope you find something that helps him feel better so he can enjoy the rest of his years with you.

Oh Gentl darling, what a really lovely post, it has made my day. We are waiting for the glucosamine now but if that doesn't improve him I will get the arthriaid.

I had another lovely night last night with hm cuddled up to me; sometimes though he likes to go on his pillow, which is in between two storage boses on the floor. I know it is what he wants because he sits on the edge of the bed looking over. When he wants to come back on the bed he lets me know by looking up.

During the day I like him on his pillow in his haybox in the living room, I try and ring as many changes as I can as well as making sure he is happy.

Lots of love to you hun. I am really touched.
Hugs

JO xx

Sending him love hunni. He is certainly very lucky to have you x

I second that. He is a lucky wee guy.

Thank you Katie and Nicky, you are a couple of little loves.

Snuffles has had a bath this morning because to say his little bottie smells bad is an understatement. The vet said it is all right to do this and I think he quite enjoys it, he lifts his little bottom up for me to wash underneath. He is now wrapped in a duvet to keep nice and warm. The smell doesn;t bother me I am pleased to say, but we do our best to keep it down in case anyone should come in.

I think he needs more baytril so I will ask the vet if this can be given with metacam. I hope the glocosamine doedn't take too long to arrive.

Love and hugs


Jo

Love and hugs

I wish there was something I could say to help. He sounds like one happy chappy with you there giving him all that love. What a lucky bun

Thank you for your kind words Rachel love. He is indeed a lucky bun and I would like to thank you for saying so. I cannot get over how he has changed, he was very much his own bunny when younger, now he just wants loads of fusses, which of course he gets LOL!!

Love and hugs

Jo xx

Jo have you tried a heat pad for Snuffie, we bought one of the Ancol heat pads for Grace as she had bad artheritis in her legs and she loved it, they are not electric or have to be plugged in so you have no cables or plugs, they heat up from the animals body and keep nice and warm. We bought Grace the large one from Pet Planet.

Link to the heat pads http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product_group.asp?dept_id=722&pg_id=1164

He has your bed Jo, but he wont' stop until he has the sofa as well! What about a bit of vet bed?

Thank you ladies for your kind replies and I will certainy look into getting a heat pad. I think it will help him a lot - keep you updated.

Hugs

JO xx

Vibe top up for Snuffie and for you jo!

Vibe top up for the precious Snuffie and for you jo!

Youi are right Cheryl love, he definately rules the roost here LOL!!

I am going to buy him the small pad from Ancol at 48 x 38. Will this be big enough? I have looked on my tape measure and I think it will be ample for Snuffie, but I would like to know what sizes other bunny mummies have chosen.

Thank you my darlings for all your warmth and good wishes, I have passed them onto Snuffie who is busy eating a strawberry ha ha!

This is really a lovely place to be, we are a family.

Love and hugs

Jo xxx